A Father's Provision

A Father's Provision

Erin and I have been working on a registry for things that we need/want for Emerson. It's difficult at times to build a registry like this because we really have no idea what he'll need when it comes to much of this stuff. If it weren't for all of the articles and books Erin and I have both read (we tend to heavily research just about everything - get ready Emerson) and the conversations we've had with other parents then we wouldn't know what to get for him...maybe. I think part of the reason we have a little trouble with it all is that we have spent plenty of time talking about how we plan to raise him, thoughts of discipline, proper study and teaching, being who we need to be as a family in each of our roles, and various other weighty topics; however we haven't spent just a great deal of time discussing bouncy chairs, strollers, baby bath seats, etc. We just haven't really devoted much time to the "stuff" that one would typically purchase when having a baby, and perhaps that's an oversight but I tend to think not. While we understand the need for things like diapers, somewhere to sleep, and things that might make our job in caring for him a little easier, we just haven't given it the amount of time and energy that we have to that which we view as vitally more important. This is all not to say that we haven't given it "any" thought; but if it were to come down to exactly how much we've thought about...I'd say that we have scarcely given much time to much beyond the essentials.

Nonetheless, we have finally completed compiling this list. While we have been sorting through all the things that are out there for babies and parents, so much of it, to me, just seems really needless (and actually a really good way to gimmick new parents like us to get something impractical that we'll never use). When it comes right down to it, a good number of the things we have put on the registry are really wants or nice-to-haves; if no one got anything for us from any of these lists, we wouldn't be upset or offended. If our loved ones just simply told us congratulations and rejoiced with us, that would be enough really; however, by request several have asked us to put a list together because they want to do more. I get it, and I thoroughly appreciate the generosity.

All that being said, good sense tells us that the most necessary things are somewhere to sleep, something to wear, and a way to eat. These needs don't change for us as we grow and mature into adults. Thankfully God has blessed Erin and me with the ability to supply for those needs. This is something that we never cease thanking God for and I hope it is always that way. Considering the registry, many of those things are what might make caring for a child a little easier. Modern innovations make life a bit easier on us, so I think we would all agree that it's nice to have some of those things; yet at the end of the day, they are just that, things.

Above all of these things, the greatest need for our son that we can supply for is that of our love. As a father, I realize that the very greatest thing I could ever do for my son is to love him. What goes along with the application of that love can be both joyous and painful at times. 

Love is what motivates us to supply all of the other things that Emerson needs. Without love, nothing we do really matters; without our love he would be helpless, ignored, abandoned, alone, and he would die. Our precious newborn son would die without love. Think of the horrid picture of such behavior. Think of the tragedy of such selfishness. Think of the behavior, which is against our nature as God's creation, that permits one to not care for the weakest among us; we would say there is something wrong with such a person as this. We would send someone who does this to the doctor to figure out why they would refuse care to a helpless child crying out for their needs to be met. We, as a society and as mankind, deem such people who refuse to care for their children as unfit parents. It's quite simply unnatural to act in this way, is it not? 

Hold those thoughts in your mind. Think about the horribleness that we are capable of as humans, think about the great responsibility parents have, think of what happens to children who do not get the care they need. Children, babies specifically, usually don't refuse to be cared for; they don't shun those trying to help them; they don't jump up and decide to go live on their own, away from the care of their parents. Time is needed for them to grow, to be nourished, to be cared for; we always need that, don't we? Think of the absurdity of a child pushing away his father and saying "I got this!", instead choosing to reject the love and care of the one who gave him life. One word describes this: unnatural.

Now, let's turn these thoughts toward our spiritual lives. I can't help but think of the parallel lessons and practical applications of these things to those who are children of God, as well as the tragic reality of those who are not His children. In this analogy, there are three possible groups that we could fall into; only one of those groups results in reaping the benefits of the Lord's love, care, and protection.

If we have been obedient to the will of God, then He has adopted us as his children and become joint-heirs along with Jesus Christ. As His children, we have committed ourselves to being in His family, under His care, reaping the blessings of His love. These have the blessing of eternal life with Him when their time here is ended. These have the joy, peace, hope, and love that only come by being a child of God. 

On the other hand, there are those who have chosen not to obey Him (whether they're ignorant or obstinate, they're in the same place); these are lost, out in the cold, are alone, they are helplessly without the love they so desperately need in order to truly live. Out there on their own, they will certainly die.

Lastly, and perhaps most tragically, there are those who have become children of God and then have chosen to leave His care. These children have chosen to walk away from their Heavenly Father, have rejected His love, and have unnaturally cast off their Father in favor of a murderous liar, unloving and hateful companion, and inevitable destruction. These, too, are out there on their own and these will also certainly die.

Where do you find yourself in these three groups? Two of them are going to be lost eternally, only one will be saved...where do you see yourself and what biblical proof do you have to show the truth of your position? Leaving the care of our Heavenly Father is unnatural, it is unwise, it will only result in our eternal death. Refusing to obey God is also unnatural, unwise, and also only results in eternal death. Choosing to draw near to our Father, submit to His will, and obey Him completely is natural, wise, and will result in eternal life. Knowing the choices before us, what will we do? 

Keep in mind, that while we may make the choice to be God's children, according to His will and obeying His commands, there are many in the world who have made the choice to not do so. Our job is to find these lost souls, extend the gospel to them, and give them the opportunity to be born into, or restored to, the family of God. 

As a parting thought, let's consider this: 

If we physically saw a child out in the cold, suffering from malnutrition, abandoned, and dying; would we leave them to fend for themselves? Certainly not. So why would we change our behavior toward those who are spiritually out in the cold of the world, suffering from malnutrition by not hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, abandoned and alone in their sin, and dying daily? Let's make sure we're truly in the family of God, and once that is the case, let's go help others to find their way to the truth so they can become God's children and enjoy the blessings of His care.